Albano back in training ahead of 2015 campaign

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Albano, second to Bayern in last summer's Haskell Invitational, has returned to training in preparation for a 2015 campaign.

Trained by Larry Jones for former Kentucky governor Brereton Jones, Albano worked three furlongs on Nov. 18 at Fair Grounds as the 3-year-old gets ready to race next year.

"That was his first work back since the Smarty Jones (Stakes)," Larry Jones said. "We're gearing up for the stakes here."

Albano has had success racing at Fair Grounds posting a win in last year's Sugar Bowl Stakes and getting second in both the Lecomte and Risen Star Stakes. The colt was fifth in the Louisiana Derby, but elevated to fourth after a disqualification.

Larry Jones gave the 3-year-old a rest following the Louisiana Derby which boosted the colt to a runaway victory of the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park. Albano used that performance to finish second to Bayern in the Haskell Invitational, outfinishing eventual Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Untapable.

The colt was sent off at odds of 7-5 in the Smarty Jones at Parx, but could do no better than third.

"I think Bayern is a pretty good horse and we ran second behind him," Jones reflected. "We did beat Untapable in that race and some of (Albano's) bad races are a little better than what you may think. We were a little disappointed in the Smarty Jones when he made his move he normally wins with; I think he just got a little tired from a long campaign and that's why we gave him a little layoff. He's coming back good."

Albano has banked $541,100 with three wins, three seconds and two thirds from nine career starts.